Effect of genetic diabetes on beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in plasma, conjunctiva, muscle and kidney cortex of mice.

The activity of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, a lysosomal enzyme concerned with the degradation of glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides, in plasma, conjunctiva, thigh muscle and kidney cortex of normal Swiss Albino and genetically diabetic KK mice of 20, 40, 70, 180 and 360 days of age was determined. The enzyme activity was significantly lower in the tissues of the KK mice of 180 and/or 360 days of age when compared with age-matched Swiss Albino mice. This lower enzyme activity was considered to be a reflection of the changes in the glycoprotein and basement membrane metabolism of these tissues.